Brothers open chocolate shop in Alyeska Daylodge
Photos courtesy of Julie St. Louis
Brothers Robert and Marcus Matthews of Girdwood create hand made chocolates at Chugach Chocolates in the Alyeska Daylodge. They opened their doors for business last week, continuing a family candy making tradition that goes back four generations.
By Julie St. Louis
Turnagain Times Correspondent
Life just got a bit sweeter in Girdwood, thanks to Marcus and Robert Matthews, two brothers who are fourth generation chocolatiers. Last week, Thursday, July 14, they opened up a chocolate making shop inside the Alyeska Daylodge after a successful test run at this year’s Girdwood Forest Fair.
Marcus describes spending 15 hours a day for three weeks making enough chocolate to sell at their booth during the three-day festival.
“We felt so welcomed by folks at the fair,” said older brother Robert. “Finding that people truly appreciate what we do made it all worth while.”
After discussions with Alyeska Resort and Michael Flynn, the food and beverage department manager, an agreement was reached to lease the large kitchen at the daylodge to use as a small retail shop, where they would make their own candy and chocolates. The lease runs through November, but a renewal is already in the works, said Marcus.
The chocolate business is new to Girdwood, but Robert, 44, and Marcus, 32, are not. Prior to making chocolates, Marcus spent 10 years working at Alyeska Resort. He and five skiing buddies from different parts of the Lower 48 decided to move up to Alaska in 2000.
Hearing good things from his younger brother, Robert and his wife April, and their four children, decided to give the Last Frontier a try in 2004. A gas line welder by trade, Robert helped construct parts of the tubing hill on the mountain. For the next several years they alternated between living and working in Alaska and back in Idaho, until the brothers began talking more and more about trying out the family recipes in Girdwood.
Growing up in Idaho, but not far from Salt Lake City, Utah, where their great grandfather J.V. Glade Sr. founded a candy company in 1919, the brothers were always around sweet treats. Marcus and Robert come from a big family – ten children – but they were the only siblings who took an interest in the art of making candy and chocolates.
Their grandfather, J.V. Glade Jr., now age 90, shared a few of the family’s favorite recipes with Robert and continues to offer pointers and encouragement to his grandsons.
“He often reminds me to keep it simple,” said Robert. “Don’t try to please everyone by doing too many varieties at first.”
Robert and Marcus are heeding their grandfather’s advice by focusing on six varieties: milk and dark chocolate toffee bars, milk and dark chocolate peanut clusters, Bavarian mint squares, and peanut brittle. The confections are all made by hand from a simple list of ingredients, just as they were when the craft of candy making was in its heyday.
Since leasing the kitchen and commercial space at the Daylodge, Marcus and Robert have focused on getting the word out by dropping off samples to Girdwood businesses. In addition to selling candies at Forest Fair, Chugach Chocolates has provided specialty candies for two weddings and is open to doing more such events. They will put together gift boxes, and even chocolate sculptures.
“We’re open to any idea,” said Marcus.
Retail hours for Chugach Chocolates are Thursday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Monday through Wednesday you’ll find the brothers, along with Robert’s wife April, and their youngest son, Andrew, in the kitchen making sweets.
“You can still purchase chocolates on these days,” said Robert. “We may not be able to stop to wait on people till we’re done stirring a batch, though.”
The Matthews send their thanks to Jay Bell, Marie Hienrich and the Jade Shop, Michael Flynn and Alyeska Resort, and the Forest Fair Committee.
“Thank you to the community of Girdwood for a great reception to such a great place,” said Robert. “We’ve felt so welcome and supported here in Girdwood.”
In addition to purchasing Chugach Chocolates at their retail location in the Daylodge, you can also find them at these businesses in Girdwood: Alta House Gifts, Great Alaskan Tourist Trap, GRRdwood Pets & Green Goods, Roundhouse Museum, and World Cup Sports.
